# Sarah Wittrock Follow-Up Note
**Received: April 3, 2026 at 11:22 AM**

Hi, Karl:

Thank you for your patience.

I want to briefly revisit our last conversation because there were some tense moments. I want to make sure I am communicating with you in a constructive way and that we are able to work together in a way that feels collaborative and productive. When I challenged some of your points, my intention was not to dictate what you have to do, but to make sure you have a full picture as you make decisions regarding your approach and strategy. My role is to support you by sharing information on how the mediation process works, how your approach/position may be received, and to offer perspective on potential risks and alternative approaches. If your immediate goal for mediation is to focus on getting answers to your outlined questions, I will support you in presenting those points as effectively as possible. At the same time, I will continue to share my perspective on MO law and how certain approaches may play out so there are no surprises.

Your follow-up question about whether MO's treatment is narrower than other states seems tied to your broader mediation framework question (i.e., whether discussions will focus on what feels fair to you and Lisa, versus MO's baseline). It sounds like you're considering looking at CA law to see if and how it differs from MO. To the extent there are differences, that comparison could be used to illustrate how outcomes can vary depending on the state, and as you noted previously, that the law does not always produce the most equitable results. I do want to flag that there may be some pushback from Lisa or the mediator to discuss the laws of a state other than MO. If you decide it would be helpful to explore CA law, you would need to consult with an attorney licensed there, as I'm not able to advise on the laws of other states.

I've also reviewed the budget you prepared. Below are a few additional items you may want to consider including or further detailing, depending on what is already captured:

- **Housing Expenses** — if not already included beyond rent:
  - utilities (gas, electric, water, sewer)
  - cable
  - renter's insurance
- **Healthcare** — in addition to insurance premiums:
  - out-of-pocket medical/dental costs
  - prescriptions
  - counseling or therapy services
- **Personal Care** — breaking this out may help clarify your estimate:
  - toiletries
  - haircuts/grooming
- **Other Expenses:**
  - gym/health club membership
  - gifts (holidays, birthdays, etc.)
  - allowance for Juno
  - subscription services (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc.)

I understand why you included a savings/contingency category and your reasoning makes sense. I suggest keeping it included for now. From a legal standpoint, you could encounter pushback on that category and/or the amount included in that category as under MO law, maintenance is not intended to allow for accumulating savings.

Thank you.  
Sarah